Earle was born in Fort Monroe, Virginia, and grew up near San Antonio, Texas. His father, Jack Earle, was an air traffic controller. Although he was born in Virginia where his father was stationed, the family returned to Texas before Earle's second birthday. They moved several times but Earle grew up primarily in the San Antonio area.
Earle began learning the guitar at the age of 11 and placed in a talent contest at his school at age 13. He is reported to have run away from home at age 14 to follow his idol, singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt around Texas. Earle was "rebellious" as a youngster and dropped out of school at the age of 16. He moved to Houston with his 19-year-old uncle, who was also a musician, where he married and worked odd jobs. While in Houston Earle finally met Van Zandt, who became his hero and role model.
In 1975, at the age of 20, Earle moved to Nashville and began working as a songwriter. In these early days, he recorded with Guy Clark and Emmylou Harris. He finally scored a country hit in 1981, writing Johnny Lee's top ten cut "When You Fall in Love." Earle's early work as a performer tended towards the rockabilly sound, popular at the time. In 1986, his first proper album Guitar Town was a critical and commercial success. It sold over 300,000 copies and led some to herald him as a saviour of country music.
Earle long struggled with drug abuse. His addiction eventually caused a departure from performing and recording after he was dropped by MCA in 1991. Whilst in jail on drug and firearm charges, he kicked the habit and returned to music after his release in 1994.
Earle's "second, post-jail, musical career" has been more stylistically diverse than his early material, dipping in acoustic, bluegrass, and roots rock sounds. I Feel Alright and Transcendental Blues met with good reviews and decent sales. 2002's somewhat controversial Jerusalem was one of the first albums to directly address the September 11 attacks. It brought Earle's leftist views to media attention, especially the song "John Walker's Blues."
His latest album of original material I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive was released in 2011. Songfacts reports that one of the tracks, This City, got played on HBO’s New Orleans based show Treme several months before the album‘s release. Earle, who plays a recurring street musician, composed the song especially for the drama series.
Earle has also released a tribute album of material written by friend and mentor Townes Van Zandt, entitled Townes.
For more information and photographs of Steve Earle go to his official website, www.SteveEarle.com.
The Other Kind
Steve Earle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
These days I've been lookin' in the mirror and wondering if that's me lookin' back or not
I'm still the apple of my mama's eye
I'm my daddy's worst fears realized
Here of late all this real estate don't seem all that real to me sometimes
I'm back out on that road again
Turn this beast into the wind
I'm the other kind, I'm the other kind
Now my old buddy, what's his name, says, ";Man what the hell are you thinkin' 'bout
Fool, you got two of everything, but you hang your head just like you was down and out";
And I'm damn sure not suffering from a lack of love
There's plenty more where that came from
Ah - but leave it up to me to say something wrong and hurt someone before I'm done
You see it used to be I was really free
I didn't need no gasoline to run
Before you could say Jack Kerouac you'd turn your back and I'd be gone
Yeah nowadays I got me two good wheels and I seek refuge in aluminum and steel
Aw, it takes me out there for just a little while
And the years fall away with every mile
The lyrics of Steve Earle's song The Other Kind reflect the confusion and alienation he feels as a successful musician who, despite his material possessions and adoring fans, feels like he doesn't recognize himself when he looks in the mirror. He is caught between two worlds: the one he grew up in, represented by his parents, and the one he has created as a musician, represented by his friend who asks him why he seems so unhappy despite having everything he could want. Earle acknowledges that he is lucky to have the love of his family and the support of his fans, but he can't help feeling like something is missing. He longs for the days when he felt truly free, when he could hit the road with nothing but the clothes on his back, and he seeks solace in his car and the open road. Despite his doubts and fears, though, Earle knows that he is different from those who break and bend under pressure - he is the other kind.
The song explores the tension between success and authenticity, between the expectations of the world and the desires of the heart. Earle is torn between the life he has chosen and the life he might have had, between the people he loves and the people he doesn't even know. He is a complex and fascinating character, one who is searching for meaning in a world that often seems meaningless. The Other Kind is a powerful and moving song, one that captures the complexity of the human experience in a few short verses.
Line by Line Meaning
I woke up this morning and I took a look around at all that I got
I woke up this morning, looked around, and realized how fortunate I am.
These days I've been lookin' in the mirror and wondering if that's me lookin' back or not
I'm questioning my own identity and wondering if I'm still the same person I used to be.
I'm still the apple of my mama's eye
My mother still loves and adores me.
I'm my daddy's worst fears realized
My father is afraid of what I've become.
Here of late all this real estate don't seem all that real to me sometimes
Recently, my possessions and wealth don't feel as valuable or important as they used to.
I'm back out on that road again
I'm traveling once again.
Turn this beast into the wind
I'm driving my vehicle against the wind.
There are those that break and bend
Some people can't handle the stresses of travel and break under the pressure.
I'm the other kind, I'm the other kind
I'm the type of person who can handle the stresses of travel and adventure.
Now my old buddy, what's his name, says, 'Man what the hell are you thinkin' 'bout
My friend is wondering what I'm doing with my life.
Fool, you got two of everything, but you hang your head just like you was down and out';
You have everything you need, but you still seem unhappy.
And I'm damn sure not suffering from a lack of love
I have plenty of love in my life.
There's plenty more where that came from
I have access to even more love and affection.
Ah - but leave it up to me to say something wrong and hurt someone before I'm done
Unfortunately, I tend to say things that hurt people's feelings.
You see it used to be I was really free
I used to be very free and unencumbered.
I didn't need no gasoline to run
I didn't need a car to get around.
Before you could say Jack Kerouac you'd turn your back and I'd be gone
I used to leave quickly and without warning, like the writer Jack Kerouac.
Yeah nowadays I got me two good wheels and I seek refuge in aluminum and steel
Nowadays, I rely on my car for transportation and protection.
Aw, it takes me out there for just a little while
My car allows me to escape for a brief period of time.
And the years fall away with every mile
Traveling reminds me of my youth and makes me feel younger again.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEVE EARLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@danmccaffrey2157
@@elizabethsizemore4714
I'm glad you're still here.
I can't pretend to know what you've been through, but I know you're still here, and you've got something to say.
You might not know it, maybe you do, but I believe that we all suffer through something, and we do for a reason;
And the reason is to survive.
Share.
And save.
You got through what you got through, not just to finish out your days just being thankful.
No.
You got through it so you could be a beacon of hope for someone else behind you.
You got through it to inspire others.
To lead even one more out of the darkness.
I'm sorry for all you went through, but it did have a purpose.
And the faces of those you've led back from the abyss prove it.
Thank you for your courage and commitment.
You're a hero.
✌🍻✌
@Daughter-of-an-outlaw
I LITERALLY just got The Hard Way CD today! I'm so PUMPED! I have it blasting through the house, Mama and Daddy are having a sweet blast from the past 😂😂 Rock on Steve!!
@Hal17680
THE GREAT STEVE EARLE: "There are those that break and bend, I'm the other kind."
@dansyver
Korlppplp
@brazenlilhussy5975
@@dansyver Good input Dan.
@craiger9313
Nuff said
@scorpichella
Great lyric
@jimbojones6169
Have that tattooed around my ankle.
@russellgiboney2213
Steve Earle for songwriters Hall of Fame
@markymarcus5752
The hard way is such a fab album, the song writing is brilliant, personal and hard hitting at times. He has a lot to say on this one, and it's well worth the listen.
@princessofhesse
never a doubt...my favorite Steve Earle song ever.